§300j–11 Indian Tribes

Summary

The Administrator may treat Indian tribes like States. He can let tribes be the main enforcers for public water systems and for underground injection control. He can also give tribes grants and contracts so they can carry out those duties. Within 18 months after June 19, 1986, the Administrator must publish final rules saying which parts of the law this applies to. A tribe can get that treatment only if the Secretary of the Interior recognizes it, it has a governing body doing real government duties, the functions are inside tribal jurisdiction, and the Administrator believes the tribe can do the work under the law and rules. If treating tribes exactly like States won’t work for some parts, the Administrator can set other ways to reach the law’s goals. Tribes do not have to use criminal enforcement, and any tribal enforcement must be at least as protective of people’s health as a State’s.